Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar took another blown save and a loss on Thursday, allowing three runs to the San Diego Padres in what eventually was a 7-6 loss. Bednar just didn't have it tonight, as he allowed two hits and two walks while only recording two outs. Bednar had gotten back to form after a rough April, but he seems to have lost it again lately, allowing 6 runs in his last four appearances while blowing back-to-back save opportunities. With Aroldis Chapman rounding into form and the Pirates quickly falling out of playoff contention, the team could make a change to try and salvage their hopes. Chapman is worth a speculative add in deeper formats where saves are hard to come by.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (lat) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, giving up two runs on one hit and a walk with three strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings of work. More importantly, Jones threw 47 pitches in Thursday's outing, so the Pirates could opt to have him make one more appearance in the minors to further build up his pitch count. Working his way back from a Grade 2 right lat strain, Jones should be able to re-enter Pittsburgh's rotation sometime in mid-August. The 22-year-old rookie right-hander owns a strong 3.56 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 98 strikeouts and 27 walks through 91 innings (16 starts) this season, so there's no reason for him to be on waiver wires in any fantasy leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated outfielder Edward Olivares for assignment on Thursday and selected right-hander Ben Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. The club also placed reliever Colin Holderman (wrist) on the 15-day injured list with a right-wrist sprain. Olivares was optioned to Indy in July after hitting .224/.291/.333 with a weak .624 OPS, five home runs and 23 RBI in 55 games in his first year in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have decided to move on after the Venezuelan outfielder slashed .250/.318/.339 with a homer, five RBI and seven stolen bases in 15 games at Indy. Olivares is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed, at which point he'd be free to sign with any MLB team. Since debuting in the big leagues in 2020, he's hit .254/.306/.407 with 29 homers, 96 RBI and 16 steals in 285 games played for the Padres, Royals and Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (illness) is back at shortstop and is batting in the three-hole for the Bucs in Thursday's series finale against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez. Cruz was out of the starting lineup for the first two games of the series against SD while being under the weather, but he came off the bench late in Wednesday's 9-8 extra-inning loss and is feeling good enough to start on Thursday at PNC Park. Fantasy managers will want to get the 25-year-old back in all starting lineups, especially since he's been hot offensively since the All-Star break. In 16 games since the Midsummer Classic, the Dominican infielder has gone 18-for-62 (.290) with three home runs, six doubles, a triple, 12 RBI, four stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 68 plate appearances.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (illness) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres. This marks the second game in a row that Cruz has missed due to a lingering illness. The hope is that this is a minor issue, so for now fantasy managers should consider Cruz as day-to-day. In his absence, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will bat third and play shortstop versus right-hander Michael King. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.